Thomas Markle, father of Meghan, cut off his ankle monitor, DOJ says

Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to revoke the release of Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, after the 82-year-old allegedly cut off an ankle monitor while awaiting trial over the possession of child sexual abuse materials. Markle was arrested on Friday after officials found child sexual abuse images in storage units belonging to him in California, including sexually explicit photographs of himself with minors, the Justice Department said. He was taken into custody in Tampa, Florida, where he was released under house arrest. He allegedly cut off his ankle monitor at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Tuesday. FOR SUBSCRIBERSMAHA rejoices as Stephen Miller takes over as chief of staff FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe Data Dive: Steve Kornacki analyzes Texas’ big blue shift FOR SUBSCRIBERSHow Congress’ post-midterms session is shaping up FOR SUBSCRIBERSBig tasks await as Congress returns after Democratic surge “We are asking the court to revoke his release and detain him pending trial, and we will continue to prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law,” Essayli said. FBI investigators found slides, film negatives, and books that contained “suspected child pornography” in two storage units rented by Markle in Los Angeles, according to court documents. The film negatives including images of naked “pre-pubescent” girls with an adult male, who a witness positively identified as Markle. FOR SUBSCRIBERSMAHA rejoices as Stephen Miller takes over as chief of staff FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe Data Dive: Steve Kornacki analyzes Texas’ big blue shift FOR SUBSCRIBERSHow Congress’ post-midterms session is shaping up FOR SUBSCRIBERSBig tasks await as Congress returns after Democratic surge The seizure last week came weeks after news that an investigation was opened into Markle in the Philippines over allegations that he kept similar images at his home while living there. There were thousands of photos featuring “underage male and females” recovered, authorities said. Markle has denied the allegations, describing the accusations as “sick lies.” A spokesperson for the Prince Harry and Meghan declined to comment on the arrest last week.